R 061950Z APR 26 MARADMIN 162/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM// SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2027 (FY27) AND FISCAL YEAR 2028 (FY28) GROUND AND INTELLIGENCE PERSONNEL EXCHANGE PROGRAM SELECTION BOARD  ANNOUNCEMENT// REF/A/MSGID: MCO/CMC/YMD:20251008// REF/B/MSGID: MCO/CMC/YMD:20210511// REF/C/MSGID: MCO/CMC/YMD:20210510// NARR/REF A IS MARINE CORPS ORDER 5710.07, MARINE CORPS  MILITARY PERSONNEL EXCHANGE PROGRAM (MPEP). REF B IS MARINE CORPS  ORDER 1326.6 CH-1, SELECTING, SCREENING, AND PREPARING ENLISTED  MARINES FOR SCREENABLE BILLETS AND INDEPENDENT DUTY ASSIGNMENTS.  REF C IS MARINE CORPS ORDER 1300.8 CH-1, PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT  POLICY.// POC/JOSEPH SCHULZE/MAJ/MMOA-3/COMM: 703-784-9284/ EMAIL: [email protected] // POC/STEVEN M. SCHER/MAJ/MMOA-3/COMM: 703-784-9211/ EMAIL: [email protected] // POC/DAVID A. HAMRICK/GYSGT/MMEA-25/TEL: 703-784-9276/ EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/BRETT M. MCCORMICK/LTCOL/PPO PL/DSN: 312-224-4365/ COMM: 703-692-4365/ EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/CLAY J.FISHER/CIV/PPO PL/DSN: 312-224-0322/COMM: 703-614-0322/ EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/NANCY A. WRIGHT/CTR/PPO PL/DSN: 312-224-2168/ COMM:703-692-2168/EMAIL: [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  This MARADMIN solicits applications to fill FY27 and FY28 Ground and Intelligence Personnel Exchange  Program (PEP) billet vacancies.  The International Affairs Program  (IAP) seeks qualified Marines to represent the Marine Corps by  serving in PEP billets embedded in the armed forces of allies and  partners.  Marine Corps PEPs conduct extended military-to-military engagement with allies and partners to exchange and standardize  operational doctrine and enhance interoperability between coalition  partners.  Selected Marines will complete a two to three-year tour  with designated allies and partners. 1.a.  Major timeline milestones (read in two columns): Date                       Milestone 26 June 2026               Applications due 31 August 2026             Board convenes 2.  Eligibility 2.a.  Eligibility requirements 2.a.1.  Applicants must be on active duty. 2.a.2.  Must receive monitor concurrence.  2.a.3.  Time on station requirements 2.a.3.a.  FY27 PEP billets.  Applicants must meet minimum prescribed tour control factor (TCF) and be eligible for permanent change of station (PCS) orders in FY27.   2.a.3.b.  FY28 PEP billets.  Applicants must meet minimum prescribed TCF and be eligible for PCS orders in FY27 to allow for language  training and reporting to their follow-on PEP billet in FY28, as  required. 2.a.4.  If an applicant does not meet prescribed TCF requirements in paragraph 2.a.3., they must submit an exception to policy (ETP),  endorsed by the first O-6 in the chain of command, via NAVMC 10274 (AA-Form), with their application.  Transfer inside of the  prescribed TCF will result in a gap for that command until the TCF has concluded.  If a Marine is selected prior to his/her normal  rotation date, Manpower Management Officer Assignments (MMOA) or  Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments (MMEA) will attempt to  provide a backfill.  A commander's endorsement of the AA Form is  considered acknowledgement of this situation.  MMOA or MMEA will  adjudicate the ETP separately from the board process and must be  approved by MMOA or MMEA before a Marine will be considered for a  PEP billet vacancy.  A Marine with an approved ETP will be a FY27  mover regardless of selection to the PEP program.  2.a.5.  Applicants must meet the grade criterion (or be selected  for promotion to that grade) of the associated duty for which they  are applying and must possess the career timing to serve a full tour  of duty in the grade of the billet for which they are applying.   2.b.  Ineligibility criteria 2.b.1.  Officers with an established separation or retirement date. 2.b.2.  Officers in the above zone.  Captains and majors offered  continuation and lieutenant colonels in the above-zone may be  considered on a case-by-case basis. 2.b.3.  Applicants selected for or currently attending programs  that have a designated utilization assignment are ineligible. 2.b.4.  Officers serving in an 0505 utilization tour or a Standard  Joint Duty Assignment are ineligible unless they have completed 24  months of their tour at the date the selection board convenes.   Applications submitted prior to completion of 24 months must include command and PMOS monitor endorsements. 2.b.5.  Officers on a graduate education program utilization tour  may not apply without concurrence from the Graduate Education  Manager (MMOA-3) and PMOS monitor. 2.c.  Intelligence Billets.  Deputy Commandant for Information  is the sponsor for all intelligence billets and will screen   respective packages for eligibility prior to the convening of the  selection board. 3.  The FY27 and FY28 PEP selection board will screen Marines for  assignment to the following PEP positions.  This list is subject to change up until the conclusion of the board based on IAP  requirements.  For the most current list, visit the website listed  in paragraph 5.c.1. 3.a.  FY27 PEP billet vacancies (read in seven columns):   GRD BMOS  Billet                        Country     Date   MCC  Note O6  804X  AMPHIBIOUS PLANS OFFICER      AUSTRALIA   JUL-27 KDB  1 O4  8006  COMBINED ARMS BRIGADE PLANNER FRANCE      DEC-26 TF2  2 O3  0202  J-25 INT PLANS OFFICER        AUSTRALIA   SEP-27 KDA O3  0203  INTELLIGENCE OFFICER          AUSTRALIA   JUN-27 TF2 O3  0206  ELEC WARFARE STAFF OFFICER    UK          JUN-27 KBU O3  0207  OIC, LIGHTNING INTEL SPT CRSE UK          JUL-27 TL4 E7  0861  FIRES SNCO SME                CHILE       AUG-27 NBE  3 3.b.  FY28 PEP billet vacancies (read in seven columns): GRD BMOS  Billet                       Country      Date   MCC  Note O4  8006  G7 ALLIED EXERCISE PLANNER   NORWAY       JUN-28 KDF  4 O3  0302  ASST OPS OFFICER             NETHERLANDS  NOV-27 KDE  5 E7  0321  RECON SNCO                   NETHERLANDS  AUG-28 KDE  5 E7  0369  COMBAT ARMS INSTRUCTOR       COLUMBIA     JUL-28 KDD  3 E6  0369  INFANTRY INSTRUCTOR          CHILE        NOV-27 KBK  3 Note 1:  Post-O6 command and/or extensive understanding of  distributed operations with sustained MAGTF experience (both ashore  and sea-based) in maritime environments preferred. Note 2:  Must have at least 2/2 in French.  Will report in early  FY27. Combat arms MOS preferred, captains are eligible to apply for  this billet.   Note 3:  Requires Spanish language training at DLI-Monterey, if not  at 2/2 level. Note 4:  Requires Norwegian language training at DLI-Washington, if  not at 2/2 level. Note 5:  Requires Dutch language training at DLI-Washington, if not  at 2/2 level. 4.  All PEP billets listed in paragraph 3 will PCS in FY27.   FY28 applicants should plan on attending language training prior  to reporting to PEP duties, if not at a 2/2 level.  The language  requirement is based on Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT)  score of (2/2) in the target language with Oral Proficiency  Interview (OPI) score of at least 1 (plus).  If the selected  candidate does not meet DLPT and OPI requirements, language  training will take place at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in  either Monterey, CA or Washington, DC as listed in paragraph 4.c.1.    4.a.  Applicants requiring foreign language training must have a  minimum Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) score of 95 for:  Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch. 4.b.  Applicants requiring language training must take into  consideration DLI course length to ensure minimum time on station  requirements will be met before applying.  Training will begin in  late CY27 or early CY28 depending on DLI course schedules for  required language.  DLI course length is 36 weeks. 4.c.  Foreign Language proficiency requirements 4.c.1.  Billets at the following locations require foreign language  training or existing proficiency (read in four columns): Language    Country                  Duration      Training Location Spanish     Chile / Colombia         36 Weeks      Monterey, CA Norwegian   Norway                   36 Weeks      Washington, DC Dutch       Netherlands              36 Weeks      Washington, DC 5.  Application process.  This section provides an overview of the  application process and requirements. 5.a.  Families and overseas screening.  Families are an important  element of PEP assignments.  Applicants with dependents enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program are eligible to apply, but may not be able to participate pending availability of required care.  A full medical screening is not required for the application process,  however, all applicants must provide a certification of suitability  for overseas assignment, found on the website in paragraph 5.c.1.  for themselves and all family members.  It is imperative applicants  disclose ongoing conditions to ensure the applicant and family  members' needs can be met.  Once selected, PEP candidates and their families must complete a full medical overseas screening within 90  days of acceptance.  5.b.  Language proficiency is desirable but is not a prerequisite  to submit an application. 5.c.  Application timeline and method 5.c.1.  Interested Marines must submit their application to the IAP  Office.  Applications must arrive to the IAP Office no later than  2359 Eastern Time on 26 June 2026 to be considered by the board.   Applicants can find templates and additional information on the IAP  website at:  http:(slash)(slash)www.ppo.marines.mil/Units/Strategy- and-Plans-Division/International-Affairs-Branch/International- Affairs-Program/Resources/ 5.c.2.  Applications must be submitted in a single portable document format (PDF) titled: "1234567890_LAST_FIRST_MI_RANK_PEP".  Applications must be submitted through the IAP website under the  IAP Submissions and Registration section, using the link referencing  PEP Submissions.  5.c.3.  Enlisted applicants must submit applications electronically  using the Special Duty Assignment/Miscellaneous Reenlistment  Extension Lateral Move (RELM) in the Total Force Retention System  (TFRS) via the normal RELM routing chain to Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments (MMEA).  Unit Career Planners have access to the TFRS system.   5.c.4.  OMPF update material.  Applicants should submit OMPF update  requests via OMPF-Records Management Application (O-RMA).  If  assistance is required, contact your unit S-1 or local IPAC.  Applicants are responsible for ensuring their OMPF and Master Brief Sheet is accurate at all times.  Board members will have access to the OMPF during the board.    5.d.  Application procedures.  The application must include the  following: 5.d.1.  A completed application form for the PEP positions listed  in paragraphs 3.a. and 3.b., the form is located at the website  listed in paragraph 5.c.1.  This application will include all  billet preferences, previous foreign security force advisor tours,  security cooperation experience, pertinent regional, academic,  personal, or professional experience, or skill capability that may  be relevant for consideration by the selection board, and DLAB and  DLPT scores (as required).  5.d.2.  Command endorsements through the first O-6. 5.d.3.  At least one letter of recommendation.  Any letters of  recommendation shall include an assessment of the applicant's  potential to serve as a representative of the Marine Corps on  independent duty as an embedded member in the armed forces of  allies and partners in overseas locations. 5.d.4.  Correspondence from PMOS monitor confirming eligibility. 5.d.5.  Certification of security clearance from security officer. 5.d.6.  Certification of suitability for overseas assignment. 5.d.7.  Enlisted applicants must include completed independent duty  screening and financial worksheets for OCONUS tours. 5.e.  The board will not consider incorrect or incomplete packages. 5.f   Applicants shall have 1-2 months pay in reserve to support  PCS costs and changes in cost of living.  6.  Marines selected to serve as a PEP may be eligible to receive  the Foreign Area Officer, Regional Area Officer, or Foreign Area Staff Non-commissioned Officer additional MOS (AMOS) for their respective regions.  Upon meeting the criteria for experience track AMOS designation, Marines will notify the IAP Office to apply for  the respective AMOS after completion of PEP assignment.  Assignment  of this AMOS makes Marines eligible for further service utilization  in 82XX billets. 7.  When applying for PEP applicants will be able to submit country  preference but should understand that the board may slate an  individual for any country being screened, and those countries being screened may change through the duration of the board.  Marines  who decline selection will have a declination letter uploaded to  their OMPF and are ineligible for future PEP boards, unless  otherwise approved by the Director, Manpower Management due to  extraordinary circumstances. 8.  Deconfliction with Active Component O-5 and O-6 Command  Screening Boards (CSB) and Top Level School (TLS) Board.  If a  Marine is selected for the FY27 CSB or AY27-28 TLS board, the CSB  or TLS selection will take priority and the Marine will no longer  be eligible for consideration to the FY27 and FY28 Ground and  Intelligence Personnel Exchange Board or like assignment.   Marines considering applying to this or similar programs are  recommended to contact their PMOS monitor with further questions. 9.  This message is only applicable to the active component. 10.  Release authorized by BGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director, Manpower Management Division.//